An endoscopic forceps includes an elongate shaft defining an instrument axis. An end effector includes first and second jaw members each supporting an opposed sealing surface for clamping tissue. At least one of the jaw members is movable relative to the instrument axis such that the jaw members are movable between a first spaced-apart configuration and a second closed configuration for grasping tissue. A cutting instrument includes a reciprocating blade translatable relative to the sealing surfaces to sever tissue clamped between the jaw members. The reciprocating blade contacts an undersurface of at least one of the jaw members when the jaw members are in the second configuration to define a gap distance between the sealing surfaces. A handle adjacent the proximal end of the elongate shaft is operable to induce motion in the jaw members, and an actuator is operable to selectively translate the reciprocating blade.

Provided herein are expandable devices, rail systems, and motorized devices. In one embodiment, an expandable device comprises an expandable sac having a tool housed therein. The expandable device is optionally configured for operation while inside a body cavity. The expandable device optionally comprises at least one rail in the sac, and at least one railed device coupled to the rail for movement there on. Movement of the railed device on the rail is provided by, for example, a motor such as an electromagnetic motor or an inch-worm type motor. Expandable devices can be used, for example, to perform minimally invasive medical procedures requiring access to a body cavity. Expandable devices can also be used, for example, to provide safe and stable transport of instruments to the body cavity.

A controller for an electrosurgical device and related methods and devices are disclosed. The controller has a processing component to: (a) derive a power factor of power applied to the electrosurgical device; and (b) responsive to the deriving a power factor, assign a circuit status to a circuit comprising the electrosurgical device. IF (PF0) and ((Vrms/Irms)T), THEN the circuit status is open. IF (PF0) and ((Vrms/Irms)<T), THEN the circuit status is short. PF is the power factor. Vrms is the root mean square of a voltage associated with the power applied to the at electrosurgical device. Irms is the root mean square of a current associated with the power applied to the electrosurgical device. T is a threshold value.

An electrosurgery system and method of practicing electrosurgery are provided, which incorporate the use of an electrosurgery probe. The electrosurgery probe an electrosurgery probe includes an electrically-conductive element comprised of a surgical tool tip segment, a mid-segment, and an electrical contact segment. The mid-segment includes a hollow, unobstructed tube having a wall and an interior flow passage, an open distal end and a closed proximal end. The mid-segment is coupled directly to the surgical tool tip segment and to the electrical contact segment. An opening is formed in the mid-segment which is in fluid communication with the interior flow passage. The surgical tool tip segment, the mid-segment and the electrical contact segment are all comprised of at least one electrically-conductive material.

Disclosed are various embodiments of a surgical instrument for colorectal polyp removal. In various embodiment, the surgical instrument has an elongate flexible tubular sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, a snare having a loop and controlled by a pair of wires, and a biopsy forceps having a pair of jaws sized to fit within the loop of the snare. Both the biopsy forceps and the snare are routed through the elongate flexible tubular sheath so that the loop of the snare and the pair of jaws exit the distal end of the elongate flexible tubular sheath.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a method of excising tissue including injecting fluid into the submucosa to raise targeted tissue. A first electrode is positioned below the targeted tissue within the injected fluid and a second electrode is positioned adjacent a surface of the raised targeted tissue opposite the first electrode. Electrical current is applied between the first and second electrodes and the targeted tissue is excised with the second electrode.

A thermal surgical instrument having a system to control the delivery of power from an energy source to active element located on a tip. The system for controlling delivery to the tip may include a control algorithm which uses on or more measurements, such as tip current, SWR, and rapid changes in reflected power, to manage power without affecting cutting efficacy, and in a manner that may be imperceptible by a surgeon. The system may utilize a state machine to determine the current environment in which the tip may be in. Power delivered to the tip may be selectively managed according to a fixed power index or a repeatedly executed power profile.

A snare for retrieving foreign objects within the body of a patient including a hollow elongate tubular member comprising an inner surface and an outer surface and a lumen defined by the inner surface, a proximal end and a distal end, the hollow elongate tubular member forms a loop at the distal end, the loop having an open position and a closed position, the loop comprising at least one opening and a wire slidably disposed in the lumen of the elongate tubular member, the wire comprising at least one engaging member for engaging tissue, the at least one engaging member extends through the at least one opening in the hollow elongate tubular member when the wire is in a first position and the at least one engaging member retracts into the lumen of the elongate tubular member when the wire is moved to a second position.

Provided herein are expandable devices, rail systems, and motorized devices. In one embodiment, an expandable device comprises an expandable sac having a tool housed therein. The expandable device is optionally configured for operation while inside a body cavity. The expandable device optionally comprises at least one rail in the sac, and at least one railed device coupled to the rail for movement there on. Movement of the railed device on the rail is provided by, for example, a motor such as an electromagnetic motor or an inch-worm type motor. Expandable devices can be used, for example, to perform minimally invasive medical procedures requiring access to a body cavity. Expandable devices can also be used, for example, to provide safe and stable transport of instruments to the body cavity.

A retrieval catheter and methods of use are described for removing a heart valve therapy such as a leaflet clip or artificial leaflet cord. The retrieval catheter can include a cutting element and a basket, piercing element, clamping mechanism, or similar grasping device. The method includes delivering a catheter to the region of the heart valve therapy and then manipulating the catheter and associated instruments to cut tissue as necessary and then remove the heart valve therapy and withdraw the catheter.